Has public health failed us? Or have we failed public health?

These two questions are the subtitle for Gregg Gonsalves’ newly published article in The Nation (Pandemic Year 3: Who’s Got the Power?). In addition to being an eye-catching subtitle, these two questions perfectly encapsulate how the politicization of public health (and almost anything that potentially restricts personal autonomy) has led to our current state— 1,085,150 dead and counting.

Both Dr. Gonsalves’ lecture and article have allowed for personal reflection. I have a vivid recollection of the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic. But when I try to recall the later months of 2020 and 2021, I come up short. I don’t know when the weeks began to bleed together, no longer holding frequent, impactful memories that would never leave. I think this is the case for most people. It’s also what I think has strengthened the ability to change the narrative and politicize this pandemic.

Masking is a great example where the societal ‘we’ have asked public health to defend their actions instead of setting the agenda. The mask fatigue and calls from some of our most vocal political leaders must have been a huge reason why the CDC changed their masking guidelines a couple of months ago. Scientific data and common sense took a back seat. I mentioned this in class so I do apologize for the repetition, but this infuriated me. Not because I knew it would lead to increased Covid-19 spread and infection (though that is still incredibly important), but because this decision was released right at the start of respiratory season, when healthcare systems were already reporting higher rates of flu and RSV infections and admissions than normally expected for this time of year. Unlike Covid-19, these viruses are transmitted through droplets. Therefore, simple surgical masks are very effective. As hospitals, including even non-pediatric beds, reach full capacity, I wonder how many infections could have been avoided if the masking guidelines and requirements were still in place?

Dr. Gonsalves writes, until we address “sovereign state actors, who are openly antagonistic toward science and public health, and other entities with vested interests that disseminate false information,” public health will not hold the power to set the policies and practices. Until this no longer remains the case, we will keep adding more lives to the 1,085,150 who have died from Covid-19.